Careers Unchecked with Talent Career Coaching
Careers Unchecked is a podcast that challenges conventional career advice, hosted by career coach Brandi Oldham. It offers honest conversations about navigating career transitions, maintaining balance, and building a fulfilling professional life. The show aims to help listeners create a professional path that resonates with their true selves.
Episodes
How to make a Hard career Decision
I'm balancing two businesses right now, one I care deeply about and one that feels more aligned with this chapter of my life. What I didn't expect was how much energy it would take to just not decide. By the end of some days I was exhausted and hadn't moved either direction meaningfully forward.In this episode we talk about:Why high achievers often struggle more with decisions than other people, a
Why Can't I Stop Thinking About Work? What's Actually Happening in Your Brain After Hours
Most high achievers know they should be able to leave work at work. Very few of them actually can.In this episode I'm starting somewhere personal, because this is something I'm actively working through in my own life right now. I had a system that worked in corporate, lost it when I went remote, rebuilt it when I became an entrepreneur, and then became a mom with a husband on on-call shifts, and t
What Happens When Your Boss Has Less Experience Than You?
In this episode we talk about:Why this dynamic is more common than you think (and it's not just your organization)How chronic deference to less experienced leadership erodes your own judgment over timeThe difference between a less experienced manager who supports your growth vs. one who caps itHow to tell if this situation is temporary and workable or chronic and costlyWhere to get professional va
Nobody Is Coming to Save Your Career: How to Actually Take Control of Where It's Going
Nobody is coming to save your career. Not your manager, not your company, not the system you've been trying to succeed in. At some point, figuring out what you want and building toward it is entirely on you, and most people arrive at that realization later than they'd like.In this episode of Careers Unchecked, I'm explaining how career support actually works, what the different entry points look l
What Your Cover Letter Might Be Missing? How To Make Sure You Stand Out
You found the job. It checks every box. You're genuinely excited. And then you see it: "please submit a cover letter with your application."And just like that, the excitement drains right out of you.If writing cover letters has ever made you want to close the laptop and apply tomorrow (which becomes next week, which becomes never), this episode is for you.In this episode, I'm breaking down everyth
No, women didn't ruin the workplace. And we're tired of taking the blame
The New York Times published an article asking "Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?" and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since November.In this episode, I'm unpacking why this narrative keeps showing up, what it gets wrong about women in the workplace, and what we should actually be focusing on instead.We talk about:✅ Why conversations about women at work always circle back to o
Why Do I Feel Like I've Lost Myself at Work? How High Achievers Stop Sounding Like Themselves
Somewhere along the way, my writing got quieter.The blogs were showing up, they were helpful and educational and clear, and they stopped feeling like me. I'd been doing what I watch so many of the women I coach do: learning to translate myself into something safe and polished until the real voice got quieter and quieter in the background.It started earlier than I'd realized. A high school English
Why Don't I Feel Better After Time Off? Burnout vs. Misalignment Explained
There's a particular kind of exhaustion that doesn't respond to rest. You take time off, you sleep, you step away, and when you come back the heaviness is right there waiting.I know this feeling personally. There was a point in my own career where I was so burned out I cried most mornings before work, not because anything dramatic happened, just because going back into the same environment again a
Why Am I So Tired Even When Nothing Is Wrong?
You're not lazy, and you're probably not ungrateful either. You're just tired in a way that doesn't show up anywhere on a calendar, and that's exactly what this episode is about.Mental load isn't the doing of things. It's the thinking behind the things, the planning and anticipating and holding-it-all-together that happens long before anyone else notices there was something to do. And if you're th
How to "Just Be Yourself" at Work
"Bring your whole self to work," they said. Then they promoted someone else because apparently, your whole self was too much. That exhausting reality of trying to be yourself in workplaces that weren't built for people who think or communicate differently. For women, people of color, neurodivergent professionals, and anyone navigating being "the only," authenticity can feel like a trick question.T
How to Thrive in the In-Between Career Phase (When You're Not Junior, Not Senior)
You're too experienced for entry-level programs but not senior enough for executive attention. You see systemic problems but lack the authority to fix them. You're capable of strategic thinking, but rarely asked for strategic input. Welcome to career limbo—the in-between phase that no one talks about.In this episode, I'm breaking down what it really means to be stuck in the middle of your career,
How to Get Promoted: Mentors vs. Sponsors Explained
Most career advice obsesses over mentorship. But that's only half the story.If you're a high-achieving woman who's been doing everything right and still feeling stuck, this episode will make some things click into place.Traditional career wisdom says find mentors, get guidance, learn from people ahead of you. All good advice. But here's what gets left out: mentors give advice. Sponsors give access
Why Remote Workers Get Promoted Less (And How to Fix It)
Remote work gave us flexibility, and quietly took away something we didn't realize we needed: professional witnesses.No one sees you solving problems in real time anymore. The hallway conversations that built relationships are gone. Those moments when you stayed late, and a senior leader noticed are gone.Here's the hard truth: remote employees are 31% less likely to get promoted and 35% more likel
Why Being "Too Valuable" Is Keeping You Stuck (And How to Finally Get Promoted)
You're the person everyone counts on. The one who never misses a deadline, holds the team together, and quietly keeps everything running smoothly. But here's the hard truth: your reliability might be the very thing keeping you stuck.In this episode, I'm breaking down why high performers often get overlooked for promotions—and what you can do about it. If you've ever felt too valuable to move, this
Redefining Success: Why Your Career Feels Empty (And What to Do About It)
Most of us spend our entire careers chasing a version of success we never actually chose. We inherit it from family expectations, workplace culture, and social media highlight reels. The formula is familiar: climb the ladder, grab the title, make more money. But what happens when you finally get there and realize it doesn't feel the way you thought it would?In this episode, I'm walking you through
How to Keep DEI Progress Alive When Programs Are Cut | Leadership Tools for Workplace Equity
A lot of companies are quietly scaling back their DEI work right now. Diversity departments eliminated, job postings changed, employee resource groups defunded, bias training shifted from mandatory to optional (which usually means gone). It's discouraging. But this doesn't have to be the end of progress.Because DEI was never about programs alone. Progress happens when people with influence decide
What to Do in the First 2 Weeks After Being Laid Off
Getting laid off feels like the ground is disappearing beneath your feet. Your routine, identity, paycheck, and community—all gone after a single conversation. If you're navigating a layoff right now, I want you to hear me: you are not alone.This year, I've walked through this process with so many clients—right now, 80% of my coaching clients are going through some form of layoff or severance. Tha
How to Get Better Feedback at Work When Your Manager Won't Give It
Feedback leads to growth, but if you don't get it, you're kind of stuck.One of my clients came to me recently with exactly this challenge. She'd been in her role for three years, doing great work, highly motivated, but her manager was stretched too thin and wasn't great at guiding development. She was getting almost nothing in terms of feedback. No real development suggestions. No insight into how
ADHD at Work: 3 Signs You're Working Against Your Brain
If you've been diagnosed with ADHD later in life, or you're just now realizing why things like "just focus harder" never worked, this episode is for you.I'm breaking down the complicated feelings that come with a late diagnosis. The relief of finally understanding why certain things felt impossible. The grief of realizing how many years you spent fighting your own brain.But here's what I really wa
When and How To Make Lateral Career Moves: Career Coach Explains
"If I'm not moving up, I must be doing something wrong."Sound familiar? That voice in your head isn't telling you the truth.In this episode of Careers Unchecked, Portland career coach Brandi Oldham breaks down exactly when a lateral move is actually your smartest career strategy—and how to know if you're making a strategic choice or just stalling out.What You'll Learn:✅ The 4 scenarios when a late
How to Prepare for a Layoff: Career Coach's Action Plan to Survive Job Loss
Hearing rumors about layoffs? Leadership meetings feel different? You're not imagining it. When major companies announce cuts, the ripple effect is real—and that quiet question everyone's asking is: "Am I next?"In this episode of Careers Unchecked, career coach Brandi Oldham shares the exact playbook she uses with clients facing layoff anxiety. If your gut is telling you something's not right at w
The Invisible Ceiling: Why Your Promotion Keeps Getting Postponed
"Let's revisit this in our next performance review." Sound familiar? That polite corporate phrase that really means "not now, not yet, maybe not ever"? If you've been doing manager-level work without the title or pay to match, you're not alone—and you're definitely not the problem.In this episode of Careers Unchecked, Portland career coach Brandi Oldham breaks down the invisible ceiling that's kee
Side Hustle to Full-Time: How to Know When to Quit Your Job
Side Hustle to Full-Time Business: When Should You Actually Make the Leap?Living a double life between your day job and side hustle? You're answering work emails while your brain is stuck on that client invoice. You're in meetings thinking about your business. When that thing you started for extra cash starts feeling like a real job—that's when the questions start: Is this more than a side hustle?
How to Rest Without Killing Your Career
Feeling guilty every time you take a break? Working 12-hour days and still feeling behind? You're not lazy—you're stuck in a system that rewards exhaustion.In this episode of Careers Unchecked, Portland career coach Brandi Oldham breaks down why rest feels impossible, how burnout is sabotaging your performance, and the exact framework to build "Rest Architecture" that actually works in demanding w
How to Get Hired When You're "Overqualified"
Been told you're "overqualified" for a job you actually want? You're not alone, and it's rarely about your qualifications.In this episode of Careers Unchecked, Portland career coach Brandi Oldham breaks down what hiring managers really mean when they say you're overqualified, why it happens in two different scenarios, and exactly how to reposition yourself to get past this frustrating barrier.What
The Qualification Trap: Why You're Already Ready for That Job You're Not Applying For
In this episode, I'm calling out the biggest career sabotage move you're probably making right now - waiting until you're "qualified enough" to apply for jobs you actually want.Men apply when they meet 60% of job requirements, while women wait until they hit 100%. And guess what? Both groups get hired at the same rate.If you've ever talked yourself out of applying because you didn't have exactly 1
That Voice in Your Head is LYING - How to Stop Imposter Syndrome
In this episode, I'm breaking down that lying voice in your head that whispers "you're not good enough" - and why 70% of high achievers will battle imposter syndrome at some point in their career.If you're downplaying your wins, over-preparing to exhaustion, or feeling like you're one step away from being "found out" - this episode is for you. You're not broken, you're just caught in a loop that c
How to Navigate Unexpected Career Setbacks
In this episode, I'm breaking down what happens when your carefully planned career path completely blows up - whether it's a layoff, burnout, or just realizing you're in the wrong place.If you're sitting in that disorienting "now what?" moment right now, feeling like your career has derailed - this episode is for you. You're not broken, you're in transition, and I'm going to help you create a road
The 5 Brutal Truths Every Job Seeker Needs to Hear
In this episode, I'm breaking down the realities that no one talks about.If you're in the thick of job searching right now - feeling frustrated, uncertain, and like it's taking over your entire life - this episode is for you. You're not doing it wrong. It's just really hard.Ready to job search smarter, not harder? Check out our DIY Career Toolkit with resume guides, interview prep, networking stra
The Career Support You Need Before You Hit Breaking Point
In this episode, I'm busting the biggest myth about career coaching: that it's only for people desperately job searching or in full crisis mode.From my years of coaching and my own burnout experience, I've learned that the best coaching happens when you're NOT at rock bottom. It's for people who want to grow in place, prevent burnout before it hits, and build careers that don't cost them their san
The 5 Career Stages No One Tells You About (And Why You're Not Behind)
In this episode, I break down the five real career stages most professionals actually experience, because nobody prepared you for what a career truly looks like beyond the "graduate, climb, succeed" myth we were all sold.From my own experience and coaching hundreds of clients, I've learned that careers don't unfold in straight lines. They bend, stall, surprise you, and evolve as you do. When thing
3 Life Lessons That Will Transform Your Career (What I'm Teaching My Son)
In this episode, I share the values I hope to pass on to my son and why they're absolutely essential for anyone building a meaningful career.Whether you're a new graduate feeling lost, a mid-career professional ready for change, or someone who just needs a reminder that you're not meant to figure it all out alone, this episode will give you permission to ask for help, take that scary step, and lea
Why You're the CEO of Your Own Career
Waiting for someone to notice your hard work and offer you that promotion? Here's the hard truth: no one is coming to manage your career for you - and that's actually great news.Learn why the school-to-work transition leaves so many high performers stuck in "waiting mode" and discover the three essential strategies every successful career manager uses to take control of their professional growth.🎯
Why Excellence Beats Perfection Every Time
Spending 25 minutes crafting a two-line email? Rewriting presentations six times before hitting send? You're not alone - and this episode breaks down why perfectionism is secretly sabotaging your career growth.Discover the hidden cost of trying to control how you're perceived at work, and learn why "good enough" might be the key to sustainable leadership and long-term success.Search for "Careers U
Why Women Are Carrying Invisible Work (And How to Stop)
Drowning in mental load and invisible work that no one else sees? You're not alone, and this episode validates everything you're feeling.Discover why women carry disproportionate mental and emotional labor at work and home - and learn 3 practical ways to reclaim your energy without burning everything to the ground.Perfect for working mothers, ambitious professionals, and anyone who feels like they
How to Change Careers Without Burning It All Down: The Half-Step Method
Feeling stuck in your career but terrified of making a dramatic leap? You're not alone. That restless feeling telling you "this isn't working anymore" is your brain paying attention and asking for more.In this episode, I'm sharing the real story of how I transitioned from finance to building two companies of my own, and why the biggest career pivots don't always start with big leaps. If you're som
Imposter Syndrome vs. Misalignment: Why Your Self-Doubt Might Be Telling You Something Important
You know that feeling when everything looks great on paper, but you still catch yourself wondering "am I about to get fired?" If you're nodding along, this episode is for you.I'm breaking down the crucial difference between imposter syndrome and misalignment - and why knowing which one you're dealing with changes everything about how you handle that nagging self-doubt.Here's what we're covering:Th
First Generation Career Success: 3 Ways to Leverage Your Unique Professional Edge
If you've ever felt like you're constantly code-switching, translating more than just words, and carrying the weight of your whole community on your back, you're probably first generation, and I see you.In this episode, I'm getting personal about the real first-generation experience - what it means to be the first in your family to graduate college, step into white-collar spaces, or work in enviro
Your Personal Brand Isn't What You Think It Is
You know that feeling when someone says "build your personal brand" and you immediately think... color palettes and taglines?If you're cringing a little (or a lot), this episode is for you.Here's what we're covering:• Why your personal brand is actually what people say about you when you're not in the room• The LinkedIn research that proves authentic beats polished every single time• My 3-step fra
Stop Being Underpaid: The Complete Salary Negotiation Playbook
Tired of being underpaid, but don't know how to talk about money without feeling awkward? This episode is for you.Discover why silence around salary keeps the pay gap alive and learn the exact framework to negotiate your worth with confidence, clarity, and zero apologies.What you'll learn:Why women lose up to $1 million by not negotiating their first salaryThe "boomerang ask trap" that sabotages n
Why You Struggle With Boundaries (And How to Fix It)
You know that feeling when you say you have a "hard stop" on a call... and then stay 17 extra minutes anyway?If you're nodding along, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the real truth about why boundaries feel so impossible when you're someone who genuinely loves being helpful, dependable, and the person everyone can count on.Here's what we're covering:I'm sharing the story about my own boundary
Why You Should Drop the Ball (From a Fellow High Achiever)
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect in every role? This episode is for you. Learn why trying to give 100% to everything leads to burnout, resentment, and self-doubt - and discover 3 practical strategies to protect your energy and move through life with more ease.🎯 What you'll learn:How to identify your "glass balls" vs "rubber balls"Why perfectionism is sabotaging your well-being3 ac
5 Hidden Signs You're Burned Out (And How to Recover)
You don't have to earn rest by burning out first.But if you're like me—someone who's hit that wall not once, not twice, but three times—you might be wondering how you got here again.Here's what I wish someone had told me: burnout doesn't announce itself with sirens blazing. It whispers first—through that slow creeping disconnection from the things that used to light you up.I'm sharing the 5 sneaky
You're Not Leading Wrong - You Just Need Permission to Lead Like YOU
Feeling like leadership is one big performance where you're constantly wondering, "Am I doing this right?" This episode is your permission slip to stop copying other leaders and start leading authentically.What You'll Learn:Why new leaders feel like they're "performing" instead of leadingThe real cost of trying to mimic someone else's leadership styleHow to identify your natural leadership strengt
Boundaries as Bridges: Protecting Your Sanity While Maximizing Your Impact
Feeling like you're always "on" but never fully present? In this week's episode, we explore how setting boundaries isn't about building walls—it's about creating sacred space for your best work to emerge.The most successful people aren't the ones working 24/7. They're the ones who've learned to protect their energy with intention.Discover life-changing tools that transformed my own burnout spiral
Why Your Rockstar Skills Are Sabotaging Your Management Career (And How To Fix It)
In this episode, we tackle the mindset shift no one warns you about when you get that promotion. Learn why the skills that made you successful as an individual contributor are often the exact ones making you struggle now, and the practical framework to transform your approach. This episode breaks down:Why your success is no longer measured by personal output but by your team's achievements. The de
The Salary Talk: How to Confidently Ask for What You're Worth
That pit in your stomach when you think about asking for money? We've all been there. In this episode, learn how to transform those sweaty-palm conversations into confident negotiations that feel as natural as giving a project update.Discover why talking about money feels so taboo (especially for women), and get a step-by-step framework to overcome those barriers. This episode breaks down:How
How to Network Without Feeling Like a Burden
Dreading networking because you don't want to bother people? In this episode, Brandi reveals why most people WANT to help you—and how to ask in a way that feels natural, not awkward. Discover the psychology behind the "helper's high" and learn specific techniques to make networking requests that people actually say YES to.▶️ In this episode:- Why asking for help triggers positive
Skip the Awkward Mixers: The Power of One-on-One Networking
In this insightful episode, Brandi Oldham tackles the uncomfortable truth about traditional networking events - those rooms full of strangers where everyone's holding drinks they don't want while making painful small talk. As a Clifton Strengths Certified coach, Brandi explains why meaningful connections happen in one-on-one settings rather than crowded networking events, and why that's perfectly
When Success Feels Empty: Finding Purpose Beyond the Checklist
In our premiere episode of Careers Unchecked, host Brandi Oldham gets real about that confusing feeling of having "made it" professionally while still feeling unfulfilled. Drawing from her personal journey from finance to career coaching, Brandi explores why checking all the right boxes doesn't always lead to happiness. Learn why feeling stuck isn't a sign of failure but an oppor
